Zubiri unfazed by raps, names man ‘behind’ accusers

By CONG B. CORRALES
Associate Editor

BUKIDNON Gov. Jose Ma. Zubiri Jr. yesterday said he is not afraid to face the Office of the Ombudsman regarding the graft charges filed by a lumad group in his province.

Zubiri called up this paper yesterday to brush off the allegations of the Pangantucan-based Unified Kirinteken Ilantongan Menuvu Tribal Council Inc. led by The Rev. Datu Intakdaw Anota, a Baptist pastor, as a “politically motivated” attack.

“Wala ako nahadlok. Fake kana nga grupo,” said Zubiri.

The governor said he has complied with the provisions of Republic Act 6713 or Statement and Disclosure, Anti-Graft and Corruption Practices.

Zubiri said he would show Gold Star Daily copies of his Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net worth (SALN) “since I was a congressman.”

He identified one “Pancrudo” as the person allegedly behind the lumad group’s allegations.

In a six-page document, the lumad group alleged that Zubiri failed to disclose his real assets from 2006 to 2014. The lumad group’s graft complaint filed before the Ombudsman is docketed under Ref. Code nos. OMB-M-C-0026/OMB-M-A-0036: “COA X v. Zubiri, et al.

Deputy Ombudsman Marco Anacleto Buena assured in a letter to the lumad group that his office is “on the process of pending preliminary investigation and administrative adjudication” on Anota’s complaint.

Aside from the complaint they filed before the Office of the Ombudsman, Anota’s group wrote a letter to Elections Chairman Andres Bautista, through Comelec provincial chair Stalin Baguio, asking the latter to disqualify Zubiri on grounds of violating Section 8 of Republic Act 6713.

Under RA 6713, all civil servants, including appointed and elected officials, are required to file their SALN “within 30 days after assumption of office; on or before April 30, of every year thereafter; and within 30 days after separation from the service.”

The document should contain “the public officials and employees’ real property, its improvements, acquisition costs, assessed value and current fair market value; personal property and acquisition cost; all other assets such as investments, cash on hand or in banks, stocks, bonds, and the like; liabilities (like loans or debts) and all business interests and financial connections.”

Public officials and employees who fail to comply with the laws and rules on the filing of SALNs could face criminal and administrative charges.

Under Section 11 of the law, penalties include a “fine not exceeding the equivalent of six months’ salary or suspension not exceeding one year, or removal depending on the gravity of the offense after due notice and hearing by the appropriate body or agency.”

The same section also provides that “[v]iolations  of  Sections 7, 8 or 9 of this Act shall be punishable with imprisonment not exceeding five years, or a fine not exceeding P5 thousand or both, and in the discretion of the court of competent jurisdiction, disqualification to hold public office,” RA 6713 reads in part.